Harriet (Diner) Levi

PORTLAND – Harriet (Diner) Levi, 92, passed away Sunday, May 2, 2021, surrounded by her two daughters.

She was born in New York City to Anna (Miller) and Abraham “Al” Diner. Harriet graduated from Hope High School, Providence, R.I., and went to work as an administrative assistant to the Superintendent of Schools in Providence.

Harriet married William “Bill” Levi in 1950. They settled in Portland, living for 64 years on Rackleff Street.

She and her husband founded Advance Paper Company. With a strong work ethic, Harriet did all the office management and bookkeeping for more than 30 years.

She had deep religious beliefs and was very involved with the Shaarey Tphiloh Synagogue and the Jewish Community Center.

Harriet, along with her family, was active with Lyric Music Theater. Harriet did makeup for the actors. Local theater and the Symphony brought her great joy. Harriet also loved listening to records from the 1930-50s.

She frequently traveled with the senior program of the City of Portland. Other trips, accompanied by close friends and family, were to Israel, The Catskills, and New York City. In her later years, she became a devoted Boston Red Sox fan, and was a life-long mahjong player.

Harriet found great joy in providing delicious meals for family and friends. Few people left her house without Harriet insisting they take a meal to go. Keeping kosher was always important to her.

She gave loving support and encouragement to her daughters, grandchildren and friends. She always expressed her gratitude for the love and care given to her.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Bill of 46 years, sister Frances Licker, brother Robert Diner.

She is survived by her daughters, Roberta Zimmerman and Donna Levi; grandchildren Adam Zimmerman (Sara), Amy Smith (David), David Zimmerman (Courtney), Ki Rogovin, Jenaya Rogovin; and great-grandson Jackson William Zimmerman. She is also survived by her sister Arlene Hoyle; and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the wellness staff at the Osher Inn for their compassionate care.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 6, at 1 p.m., Mount Sinai Cemetery, Hicks Street, Portland.
Arrangements entrusted to Portland Jewish Funeral Home.

Donations may be made in her memory to:

Lyric Music Theater, http://www.lyricmusictheater.org or:

Levi CDC Arts Fund at the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, http://www.mainejewish.org



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